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Hey Blogosphere! Just like the Cardinals and the warm weather, the LFA Heartland blog is back, or at least we are going to try to be. We have a series of new writers and couple of familiar ones so it should make for an interesting read.

The Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter was lucky enough to have two young men from St. Mary’s High School generously volunteer to spend their spring breaks with us as part of a junior service project. They spent the first week helping us prepare for our Lupus Rally and Advocacy Day in Jefferson City and the second getting a feel for life at a non-profit. Here is what they had to say about the experience:

Zach Lauer

My friend, Vince, and I went on the trip down to Jefferson City together for Advocacy Day. It was actually a really exciting day and I strongly encourage anyone who is even thinking about going to come down with us next year. We had an opportunity to speak to our senators about lupus and Medicaid expansion. We also got to see them participate in a floor meeting. The public rally was really eye opening. It showed me some of the struggles of people have with lupus. Talking to the other participants and listening to the speakers at the rally, impressed upon me just how disabling and cruel the disease really is and how often it is underestimated. It was a very impactful experience.

Vince Meyers

As a student from Saint Mary’s High School the juniors every year have a junior service project where we spend two weeks at a non-profit organization. I chose the Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter because my mother suffers from lupus. I want to learn as much about this terrible disease as possible so I can do everything I can to benefit the well being of my mother.

Over the course of my junior service project, I learned a lot about both the disease and the organization. In addition to preparing for an advocacy day in Jefferson City, I did some data entry and updated the LFA’s contacts. I also reached out to funereal homes and doctors offices to help the Lupus Foundation of America maintain relationships with these organizations. This experience has been a lot of fun and a great learning experience as well.

We would like to give a big thank you to Zach and Vince for agreeing to spend their spring breaks with us. They were a huge help around the office and a lot of fun to get to know. We hope they come back and visit soon.

If you would like to contribute, just send us an email at info@lfaheartland.org. We want to hear your stories and opinions whatever your connection to lupus and the Heartland Chapter.